[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 13 (Wednesday, February 5, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E168]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 5, 1997

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the University of St. 
Thomas in Houston, TX, for 50 years of excellence. As an alumnus, I am 
proud of the many contributions the University of St. Thomas has made 
to education and to our community.
  Fifty years ago, the University of St. Thomas became the first 
independent, coeducational Catholic Basilian college in the United 
States. Rev. Vincent J. Guinan presided over a freshman class of only 
40 students and a faculty of 8. Since then, the university has grown 
over fortyfold, with an enrollment of 2,500 students and 200 faculty.
  But the University of St. Thomas has not just grown in enrollment, it 
has grown in importance. It is recognized as one of the top regional 
universities in the country, offering a curriculum--from accounting and 
finance, to philosophy and theology--that attracts top students from 
around the country and around the world. The Cameron School of 
Business, opened in 1980, leads the way in teaching Houston's future 
business elite.
  Over the past 50 years, the University of St. Thomas has flourished 
because of its commitment to not only education, but to the community. 
St. Thomas enriches Houston through a number of free lectures, 
exhibits, concerts, and seminars--all open to the public. Through these 
events, the University of St. Thomas has forged bonds to the community 
that can never be broken.
  The University of St. Thomas has also led our community in 
architectural excellence. The main academic complex built in the 1960's 
is among the first works by world renowned architect Philip Johnson, 
who later designed much of the Houston skyline. It is only fitting that 
as St. Thomas achieves its half century mark that a new Johnson work, 
the Chapel of St. Basil, will close out the complex.
  As a member of the class of 1982, I take great pride in commemorating 
50 years of achievement at the University of St. Thomas. The people who 
have made St. Thomas what it is deserve our praise and our thanks.
  The community's pride in the University of St. Thomas is reflected in 
the following editorial printed in the January 30 Houston Chronicle.

        UST--From an Acorn on Montrose to a Splendid University

       Since its humble founding 50 years ago, the University of 
     St. Thomas has contributed much to the Houston community.
       Nationally recognized as a top regional institution and one 
     of the best buys in higher education, the University of St. 
     Thomas has been the source of a fine education for thousands 
     of students with its small classes and quality professors.
       But it has been more than just a university of Houstonians. 
     It also has given cultural and intellectual enrichment to the 
     community through its numerous public lectures, concerts and 
     exhibits.
       Fifty years ago the Basilian Fathers, with the help and 
     hard work of a group of dedicated laymen and laywomen, 
     founded the university on Montrose Boulevard as an 
     independent, coeducational Catholic institution of higher 
     learning. The freshman class numbered 40. There were only 
     eight faculty members. Today the University of St. Thomas has 
     an enrollment of 2,500 students and 200 faculty. It offers 33 
     fields of study with a core curriculum in philosophy, 
     theology, the humanities, social sciences, mathematics and 
     science. The campus has grown to 22 acres, but the original 
     building, the historic Link-Lee mansion, is still used.
       A special dedicatory Mass on Friday marks the beginning of 
     the university's 50th anniversary commemoration.
       From a small acorn, a thriving university has grown, 
     nourished through its commitment to instill a love for truth 
     in its students.
       Bricks and mortar do not make a university. People do. So 
     as the University of St. Thomas begins commemorating its 50th 
     anniversary, Houstonians should say well done to all the men 
     and women who have made the university the splendid place and 
     community asset that it is.

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